One of the things I love about traveling is getting to experience new foods and customs. One food item that I have always wondered about is Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts.
Crock Pot Boiled Peanuts
Whenever we visit the Southern U.S., I see signs for boiled peanuts everywhere imaginable, including at gas stations, truck stops, grocery stores, and roadside stands.
I was nervous to find out what Boiled Peanuts are. My lovely husband grew up in the South and still loves introducing me to new Southern food and terminology. He will say things sometimes that this PNW Girl just doesn't quite get.
Examples include:
- They are madder than a hoot owl
- It's like nailing an eel to the wall
- Butter my Biscuit, look who's here
Do you have any sayings that you hear all the time?
John was excited to put together this Cajun Boiled Peanut Recipe. The Cajun Boiled Peanuts brought back memories for him. They are easy to make and taste amazing. If you love snacking on peanuts, you will love this recipe! It is one of our favorite Game Day Crock Pot Recipes!
I love that you can get them started 12 to 24 hours before your party or event, and you don't have to stress about the recipe when the party happens.
Now that we live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama I am in awe of how often I variations of boiled peanuts at the store.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make epic Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Raw Peanuts in the shell
- Dry Crab Boil (such as Zatarain's® Crab and Shrimp Boil)
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Cajun Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Water
Equipment Needed
- Crock Pot: We suggest using a Crock Pot with a digital timer that automatically switches the slow cooker to warm after a set time to ensure your dinner cooks perfectly without the need to stress about cooking time.
You can serve Cajun boiled peanuts in a paper bag, bowl, on a paper towel to soak in the moisture
How to Boil Peanuts
Step 1 - Add peanuts to Crock-Pot, add in water
Step 2 - Pour garlic powder, salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes over the top. Stir everything together.
Step 3 - Place dry crab boil on top
Step 4 - Cook in the Crock Pot on low
Step 5 - Add water as needed to make sure the peanuts are covered.
Scoop/drain the peanuts out with a slotted spoon and serve in a bowl.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: This recipe is make-ahead-friendly! We cook the boiled peanuts in the slow cooker for 12 to 24 hours to lock the flavor in.
Storage: According to the Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts Catalogue, refrigerated boiled peanuts stored in an airtight container last about ten days.
Freezing/How to Freeze + Reheat: Have leftover Cajun boiled peanuts? Great news - this snack freezes well for up to six months for future enjoyment! Food and Kitchen Appliances has a thorough guide on freezing and reheating boiled peanuts.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions: This Southern Living recipe post details the difference between green peanuts and raw peanuts if you want to use a different peanut variety. Liquid smoke would also be a tasty way to infuse smoky flavor into your peanuts!
We have also seen boiled peanuts made with Old Bay Seasoning, hot sauce, jalapenos, and other spices.
Vegetarian + Vegan Options: This recipe is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, even with the dry crab and shrimp boil!
Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Smaller Serving Size: A Spicy Perspective has a guide on Cajun boiled peanuts done three ways if you want to try a smaller, scaled-down stovetop version.
Make it Spicy: Adjust the red pepper flakes for more spice. We’ve also seen takes that use hot peppers like habanero and jalapeño in the boil.
Sugar-Free: This snack recipe contains 1 gram of sugar per serving, which makes it low-sugar.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
Are you supposed to eat the shells of boiled peanuts?
Some people crack the shell in their mouth to get all the flavors, or you can break it with your hand. You do not eat this outside covering, just the peanuts inside.
What are boiled peanuts good for?
Boiled Peanuts make a great snack or appetizer for a party, or you can package them as a gift for any friends that love Southern Comfort Food.
How long does it take to boil peanuts?
We cook the boiled peanuts in the slow cooker for 12 to 24 hours to lock the flavor in.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
A simple, salty snack like Cajun peanuts pairs well with a refreshing beverage and a platter of savory bites! Here are some bar snack suggestions and libations sure to bring Southern flair to happy hour.
Sides: 3 Ingredient Old Bay Goldfish Crackers, Candy Corn & Peanuts Snack Mix, Spicy Buffalo Pretzels, Air Fryer Chickpeas, Alabama Fire Crackers, Air Fryer Kale Chips, Dill Oyster Crackers, 3 Ingredient Ranch Pretzels, Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds, Sriracha Caramel Corn
Drinks: Beer Margaritas, Guinness & Cider Beer Cocktail, Kentucky Mule, Tennessee Whiskey Mule, Lynchburg Lemonade, CopyCat McDonald's Sweet Tea, Ranch Tea Cocktail, Peach Iced Tea Cocktail, Coke Slushie,
When to serve Boiled Peanuts
- Southern Snack
- Road Trip Snack
- Family barbecue
- Football parties
- Easy Savory Snack
Great Crock Pot Recipes
Do you love Slow Cooker Recipes?
- Crock Pot Monkey Bread
- Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole
- Crock Pot Ham
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Crock Pot Spicy Buffalo Ranch Chicken
- Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Crock Pot Spicy Barbecue Kielbasa
- Crock Pot Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa
- Crock Pot Apple Crisp
This recipe is one of our favorite Super Bowl Appetizers and Road Trip Snacks!
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all our recipe posts.
Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts
Ingredients
- 1 pound peanuts in the shell
- 3 Ounce Crab boil (such as Zatarain’s® Crab and Shrimp Boil)
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- ½ cup Salt
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Red Pepper chili flakes
- 8 cups water to start
Instructions
- Add peanuts to Crock-Pot, add in water
- Pour garlic powder, salt, Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes over the top. Stir everything together.
- Place dry crab boil on top
- Cook in the Crock Pot for 12-24 hours. The longer they cook the stronger the flavor.
- Add water as needed to make sure the peanuts are covered.
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared February 11, 2013, updated on March 11, 2020, September 2023
Rich
Ok i did everything but the red pepper flakes,i didnt have any so i used old bay...now time will tell..i have the crock set to low and plan on a 24 hour cook
Thomas John Avatarici
would that crock pot be on low or high?
" Add water as needed to make sure the peanuts are covered."
My peanuts float. How to make sure they are covered?
Adding water should greatly increase cooking time also, yes?
Luquita Krolll
Use "green" peanuts which are freshly plowed and picked peanuts. If the peanut shell feels dry-you may need to soak the peanuts in water first (like dry legumes). They are so good. Boiled me a few tonight
Alonzo
I cooked for 12 hours and gave them a taste. The flavor is awesome but not as spicey or soft as I would like so I added more red pepper flakes and now I will cook for an additional 12 hours.
Malia
Hi! My first tins making and don't have crab boil, what can I use pleas help!!
Emily
Peanuts are pretty buoyant, so how do you keep them covered with water? Or do you just put enough water in to cover, then let them be? Thanks!!
Tammilee
Hi, They just float in the water. I stirred them around randomly during the cooking time.
Sera
Hey Tammilee! I made these this weekend because I had just an aweful craving for spicy boiled peanuts. I followed your recipe to a tee. However, mine took over a day and a half on a low crockpot setting. I think it would be best to leave it on high. And I'm afraid mine had no spice to them almost at all. Very mild. Still delicious though.
I also made the mistake of stirring and the crab boil bag ended up on the bottom. *DUMB* The bag broke. Bummer. -_-
Jennifer
When I made these, they weren't spicy at all. The peanuts were fully cooked on high for over 24 hours. So I'm not sure why they didn't have any spicy flavor at all :/
Beth H
From NE where can I get raw peanuts, and if I can't could you use plain in shell at store?
geri031706
Hi! I've never had these, but they sound delicious. I've got a few basic questions. 1. Do I start with salted or unsalted peanuts? 2. Do I leave the crab boil in the bag like in your picture? If so, why? 3. Do I serve them wet or dry? 4. Can they be stored?
Tammilee
HI,
yes you leave the crab boil in the bag, it makes it easier to clean up and does not coat the peanuts in the seasoning. It is up to you if you serve them wet or dry. I strained them and served them in a big bowl. They did not last long enough in our house to store for an extended period of time.
Barbara Allen
In the south, we always made them with raw green peanuts unsalted. We could buy them at Walmart.
Lea
Wish you would have answered this. We have leftovers because we just couldn't eat all 7 lbs! How do you recommend them?
Lea
Re cook them what do you do?
Sera
Hi! I made these this weekend and boy o' boy, I'm with you there. I can't eat all of this in one sitting! However, they do keep nicely in the fridge. And 35 seconds per handful of nuts in the microwave heat them without exploding them. Happy noms!
lisa
same question as other poster - low or high on slow cooker?
Tammilee
I cooked them on high
audrey
Hi Tami,
Your recipe says to cook them on low but here you say high. Hope its a quick response! I'm making them now and just noticed this discrepancy!!
Thank you
Kristi
As a southerner through and through, I've eaten my weight in boiled peanuts through the years and was super stoked to see a crock pot recipe for such a yummy southern staple!! I can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!! (I shared it on my blog too.... It seemed too awesome to keep to myself! Hope that's ok!)
Keri Wallace
Do you put the crockpot on high or low?